The Story of Ferdinand
Book description
First published in 1936, THE STORY OF FERDINAND was seen by some as an allegory, however what it is an allegory about is up to interpretation. Some see it as a reflection on the Spanish Civil War, others think it is about Nazism, while still others see it as a commentary on Communism. The book was banned in Spain and called "degenerate democratic propaganda" by Adolf Hitler. In the United States, the story was seen not only as Communist, but also as anarchist and fascist--although it ultimately became 1938`s number one bestseller. Unlike most of the other bulls in Spain, Ferdinand does not like to fight; he would rather just calmly sit underneath his favorite tree and sniff flowers. One day, five men travel to the field where Ferdinand lives in search of the "biggest, fastest and roughest bull" to fight in the bullfights. Unfortunately, just as those men set eyes on Ferdinand, a bee stings him. When the men see Ferdinand leaping and jumping in reaction to the bee sting, they assume he is the fiercest bull in all of Spain. In no time at all, Ferdinand is captured and transported to the bullfighting stadium in Madrid. Once there, Ferdinand must then face the Banderilleros who want to stick large, sharp pins into him, the Picadores who want to pursue him with long spears, and the Matador who wants to use a sword to defeat Ferdinand once and for all. Ferdinand, however, has other ideas. This ode to pacifism and individualism is illustrated with B&W drawings.
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